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03-16-2017, 09:06 AM - 3 Likes   #31
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Failing isn't the correct descriiption. Pentax won't be able to instantaneously upgrade every model and every lens to ultrasonic motors, and they won't magically be able to install a new AF sensor with 51 f/2.8 cross-type AF points in every camera body at whatever price, with predictive x, y and z axis Tracking AF algorithms that are idiot proof.

However, given a modicum of skill, technique and proper set-up, continuous AF functions are fine on Pentax cameras. Users whose immediate first priority is out-of-the-box Green Mode tracking and zippy AF for $600 should buy another brand.

03-16-2017, 09:09 AM - 1 Like   #32
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QuoteOriginally posted by monochrome Quote
How lenses are made - think of the capital required to buy these machines.
I enjoyed the video but I Googled JML Optical and they are a custom optical firm. I would expect that there would be more mass-production methods in manufacturing consumer camera lenses - they would cost a lot more with that kind of painstaking effort..
03-16-2017, 09:28 AM - 1 Like   #33
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QuoteOriginally posted by jacamar Quote
I enjoyed the video but I Googled JML Optical and they are a custom optical firm. I would expect that there would be more mass-production methods in manufacturing consumer camera lenses - they would cost a lot more with that kind of painstaking effort..
D FA* lenses aren't mass produced. Even DA/FA Limited lenses aren't mass produced. It was revealed in the CP+ interview the 70~200 was delayed because Pentax' manufacturing process was not accurate enough to reliably produce lenses to close tolerance. Mass production (machine production) requires even more capital investment. People are more expensive than machines.

What I'm suggesting is the Pentax infrastructure might not yet be quite to the point that they can produce some of the things we blithely ask for.
03-16-2017, 09:58 AM - 3 Likes   #34
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QuoteOriginally posted by jonlg Quote
What do others think?
If you want a Nikon, buy a Nikon.


Steve

03-16-2017, 10:15 AM - 2 Likes   #35
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QuoteOriginally posted by sculptor666 Quote
if you want pentax to do well as a company, you have to admit where they're failing compared to everyone else, REGARDLESS OF YOUR PERSONAL RESULTS.

my brother-in-law bought a consumer nikon with a kit lens, and the af was so fast and silent, i though it was turned off. will he get better images than i do? hell no. does pentax have a shitload of work to do on af? hell yes.
What model did your brother in law buy, what model do you have, what lens do you have what lens does he have ? In practical terms, when you shoot an event, your brother-in-law gets how many more keepers than you do? What is the practical advantage?

If you don't know those things, you're not adding much to the conversation, except that you think his AF is faster. I picked up a D810 a few years ago and compared it to my K-3 with the Tarmon 90. The Nikon was slightly faster, but not enough to affect my shooting. After all, I do have to aim and press the shutter release button. Losing 2 tenths of a second doesn't affect most shooting.

I've also seen low light situations where Pentax AF was slow, but Nikon (or Canon) didn't work at all. So what?

This is the kind of post that drives me crazy. It's an assertion without any relevant information. Basically fluff.

Last edited by normhead; 03-16-2017 at 02:23 PM.
03-16-2017, 10:16 AM - 1 Like   #36
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QuoteOriginally posted by monochrome Quote
Users whose immediate first priority is out-of-the-box Green Mode tracking and zippy AF for $600 should buy another brand.
I still marvel at how good it is but II've only ever owned Pentax DSLRs, I do have a Yashica 230 film SLR and that really is slow but it does have catch in focus if you are patient enough. As long as Pentax carry on making good cameras I see no need to go chasing dreams of fool proof AF from elsewhere
03-16-2017, 10:20 AM   #37
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QuoteOriginally posted by monochrome Quote
Of course Pentax could, but we wouldn't buy it if they did.

There's no magic to cameras. Pentax could immediately create a D500-spec. body and Nikon class strobe. It's just math, engineering and capital. What they can't do is recapture the time lost since 2000 doing nothing while CaNiFuShy were incrementally developing their products.

Ricoh could throw capital at the problem and catch up 15 years of investment in 2 - 3 years. But we wouldn't pay the price required to recover the development cost, tooling and materials.

The problem is us.
I don't see much style or sense of fun coming from the photocopying fanciers who own Pentax. Maybe they should get out more and quit looking like they've come to collect the body. Perpetual catch-up mode is a slow road to the cemetery. Pentax need innovation and a buzz around what they do. Hey, if others can do this then surely Pentax can too. It's not just about money. It's also about the right people and the right way to enthuse your customers. If I see the chairman of Ricoh taking a board meeting wearing his underpants outside his trousers I'll know Pentax have turned the corner at last.

03-16-2017, 10:42 AM - 1 Like   #38
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QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
If you want a Nikon, buy a Nikon.


Steve
Exactly, if you want your Pentax to be a Nikon buy a Nikon. What they are not saying is they want their Pentax to be a Nikon at Pentax prices.
03-16-2017, 11:01 AM - 1 Like   #39
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Boxers or Briefs?

I don't recall a time when Pentax was stylish or edgy ever. And I do mean since 1957. Pentax is essentially an optics company that makes competent, conservative cameras on which to mount their lenses. Their statement is the image, not the sexy, polished anodized aluminum body.

My son uses his Canon for his work but he borrows my K-1 and FA77 to take memories of his babies, and that's the absolute truth.

Last edited by monochrome; 03-16-2017 at 11:06 AM.
03-16-2017, 11:10 AM - 1 Like   #40
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It seems to me the problem is not only the quantity of AF points and sensitivity of sensors. Not the processor power.

I think the problem is weak AF software of Pentax AF system. The problem is very slow progress in development of real hybrid AF system for LV or advanced phase AF.
It's hard to understand why Ricoh doesn't invest money in such work of specialists.

SAFOX is the most conservative and out-of-date autofocus system between all brands.
03-16-2017, 11:13 AM - 1 Like   #41
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QuoteOriginally posted by Not a Number Quote
Exactly, if you want your Pentax to be a Nikon buy a Nikon. What they are not saying is they want their Pentax to be a Nikon at Pentax prices.
It's wrong conclusion. We want AF system which could compete with other brands AF. Not worse that other AF system.
It's not question of price.
There are a lot of cameras with better than K-1 AF and cheaper.
03-16-2017, 11:21 AM   #42
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QuoteOriginally posted by ogl Quote
It's wrong conclusion. We want AF system which could compete with other brands AF. Not worse that other AF system.
It's not question of price.
There are a lot of cameras with better than K-1 AF and cheaper.
A lot of better FF cameras at roughly the same price as the K1 and with better AF? Could be I suppose. Right off I can't think o which ones you would be referring to, tho apparently there's supposed to be a lot of 'em. In any event I've been quite happy with my Pentax gear.

Granted that a better auto focus system would make our Pentax cameras an even better value compared to other brands. At the same time I don't think we're all suffering as much as you would like us to. Personally it's rare that I've missed a shot I would have liked because the auto-focus wasn't fast enough. For my shooting needs I often forgo auto-focus altogether anyway except as a get-me-in-the neighborhood thing. But I kinda feel like this is almost similar to the "ridiculous that Pentax doesn't have a full-frame DSLR camera and I'm leaving if they don't soon" comments the past few years. It seems to me, tho I could be wrong, that some number of them decided they didn't really need a FF that badly after all.

But be that as it may yes we'll all appreciate auto-focus improvements when they come (relatively soon IMHO) but I don't think things are nearly as dire now as you like to portray them.

(Why does this remind me of the old K1000 days and being teased by those Minolta guys claiming "better cameras"....
and to think we used to manually focus and thought we were good photographers.

Last edited by gatorguy; 03-16-2017 at 12:16 PM.
03-16-2017, 11:27 AM   #43
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IMO compare the D500 with the K3 or K3ii is like apples with oranges.. this cameras are ment do different markets and porpuses.. D500 is an sport camera, fast fps, fast focusing, etc.. K3/K3ii is more a general photography advance DSLR, with a decent fps ( really good when it came out ) and not as bad AF ( not the greatest but not the worst ).. But as i said.. D500 is totally ment to fit in a different market ... you should compare the D7100 or D7200 with the K3.. Even the release price is totally different with this cameras.
03-16-2017, 11:34 AM   #44
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I've complained in the past about the af not being super precise, but after shooting the camera for a while, including sports with my Tamron 70-200, I think it definitely can get me shots I need, it just might take few extra shots to get a keeper, and most of the time it just nails the focus anyway. I wouldn't recommend it for a pro sports shooter, but for my casual uses it's more than enough.
03-16-2017, 11:54 AM   #45
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QuoteOriginally posted by gatorguy Quote
A lot of better FF cameras at roughly the same price as the K1 and with better AF?
It's doesn't matter FF or not. I talk about K-1 as an example of the last SAFOX. And nothing else.

K-1's AF system is the sample of the best AF which Pentax has now. It's the max.level of Pentax AF system. Do you understand the context?
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